Sailor Moon Mondays: Sailor Moon R: Episode 51
This series is oftentimes a confusing, indeed downright vexing creature to categorize at times because it doesn't really play by any typical rules. For example, we have this filler arc, and it is a filler arc no matter what anybody is going to say. Yet it is not something that can be quickly cast aside because aside from the amnesia haberdashery there are events here that will reverberate though the rest of the season. This is due to the fact that seemingly at random it was decided that this be the first power up episode. Indeed, it is important to remember that Sailor Moon often drinks from the cup of Sentai tropes and this is a big example. It is time for the new season of power ups, and it should be noted that these are the actual new powers seen in the manga.
Somebody realized that they could add the powers here and give this arc some semblance of substantiability, which is more then can be said for many anime-only arcs actually. My biggest problem is that indeed this power really does feel like it was randomly handed out as the monster of the week didn't come across as any more powerful then anything previously encountered. Really that is one of the biggest problems with this entire arc. The incest twins are a few steps down on the threat level chart then Dark Moon and it has been showing. Indeed, the current powers of the Scouts have actually been more effective here then in the latter stages of season one. This is problem that is only going to get worse. As far as the rest of the episode goes, it was there, a perfectly generic episode in service to the larger plot device. Oh yes, also a new sub-plot of romance begins between the normals. I hope they enjoy it while they can.
Sailor Moon Mondays: Sailor Moon R: Episode 52
Ye gods what a useless episode this was as it is a very painful reminder that the writers of Sailor Moon still had very little idea about what to do and how to present Minako. Indeed in this episode they basically make her Usagi-lite, adopting some of her bad habits and mannerisms but retaining a mostly kind if bland personality. Anyway, most of this episode involves hordes of annoying children and the attempt to convince them that there is a Sailor Moon, which is not that hard of a feat to prove actually. At least Crescent Beam Shower seems like an actual step up in power and not just something to replace the power lost from last season. Anyway, recommendation to avoid this episode and I think I am already forgetting some of what happened.